Invalid bed-rest



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 (No Model.)

O. F. LILLEY.

INVALID BED REST. No. 340,334. Patented Apr. 20, 1886.

W/TA/E8E8: v

= ATTORNEY N. PETERS PholoLhhognphur. Wishingtnm D C.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

0. F. LILLEY.

INVALID BED REST.

No. 340,334. Patented Apr, 20, 1886.

ATTORNEY N PETERS Fiuolo-Lilhcgmpher. Wlihingivn. D Q

UNTTEE STATES PATENT @EEie CHARLES F. LILLEY, OF TROY, PENNSYLVANIA.

INVALID BED-REST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 340,334, dated April20, 1886.

Application filed May 12, 1885.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. LILLEY, of Troy, in the county ofBradford and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Invalid Bed-Rests; and I do hereby declare that thefollowing specification, taken in connection with the drawings furnishedand forming a part there of, is a clear, true, and complete descriptionof my invention.

My said improvements relate to that class of portable devices which canbe applied to use on any bed or lounge for conveniently affording toinvalids a variety of restful positions and otherwise contributing totheir comfort, as well as to the convenience of attendants.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, light, andcomparativelyinexpensive bed-rest susceptible of a wide range of adj ustment, not only for enabling a great varietyof positions, but foradapting the rest for use by individuals ofall sizesand in beds or onlounges of different lengths.

After fully describing the bed-rest illustrated in the drawings, thefeatures deemed novel will be specified in the several claims hereuntoannexed.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l illustrates in top and edge viewsthe frame-work of one of my rests as when folded and out of use or fortransportation. Fig. 2 in similar views illustrates the same with theseveral main parts distended. Fig. 3 illustrates the same in edge orside view in one of its positions of adjustment on a mattress andbedstead. Figs. 4 and 5 in similar views illustrate other positions ofadjustment of the rest on the bed. Fig. 6 in two views illustrates acommode attachment. Fig. 7 in two views illustrates a table attachment.View and central crosssectiou illustrates a detached friction-bar usedon the base of the bedrest.

It is to be understood that my bed-rest is so upholstered as to affordcomfort to its user, and that the character of the upholstering can beindefinitely varied without in any manner affecting my invention.

The frame-work or skeleton of a bed-rest embodying my inventionessentially includes a central or base section, A, an auxiliary base-Fig. 8 in side Serial N 0. 165,215. (No model.)

section, B, and a back-supporting section, 0, all hinged togetherlongitudinally, and so that the auxiliary'base section andtheback-supporting section will fold toward and upon each other over orupon the base-section. The basesection A performs no other function thanthat of a base for the other sections, and it is composed of apair ofbars, a, and provided with a downwardly-curved and projecting crossbar,72, which I will term a friction-bar, because its function is to seatitself so firmly into a mattress as to prevent any undue slipping actionthereon.

Bed-rests as heretofore constructed have embodied cross-bars operatingas ties or braces for coupling the side bars of the frame-work, and saidcross-bars of necessity served to hold the device more firmly on a bedthan would be the case if they were not used. My friction-bar, beingdownwardly curved and projected materially below the plane occupied bythe side bars of the framing, is effectually embedded in a bed ormattress, instead of merely resting thereon, as would be the case ifsaid bar, like said prior cross-bars, occupied substantially the sameplane as the side bars. This transverse friction-bar is preferablycomposed of metal, and has one or two sharp or well-defined edges, whichenable it to properly engage with a sheet or mattress without liabilityof injury thereto, as distinguished from the use of card-teeth, asheretofore proposed for a like purpose. The auxiliary base-section B isnot only at times an actual prolongation of the base A, but it alsoserves as a means for the longitudinal adjustment of the base upon abed, and when so serving it also serves as a portion of the means bywhich the inclination of the back-supporting section can be adjusted;and, still further, it serves at times as the sole means for adj ustingsaid backsection.

As essential featurcs in construction, the

auxiliary base at its outer end is provided with one or more beveledfaces, 0, and a notched rack-bar, d. Otherwise it may be variouslyconstructed, although, as here shown, it embodies two side bars, e, andtwo crossbars, 6'.

The back-supporting section 0 embodies two side bars, f, which at theirrear sides are notched to serve as rack-bars, a curved crossbar, f, nearits hinged end, and a lateral or cross bar, 9, at its outer end. It isessentially provided with a brace, h, hinged at its rear side and nearits outer end, and for economy and lightness I have attached this bracerigidly to the cross-bar g and hinged this latter to the side bars, f.The brace h, at its outer end, is beveled, so as to enableit to engagewith the notches of the rack-bar d on the auxiliary base-section.

Referring now to Fig. 3, it will be assumed that an invalid wishes tosit nearly upright and as near the head of the bed'i as possible. Inthis case the auxiliary base B serves purely as a brace, its beveledfaces occupying such of the notches f at the rear of the side bars, f,of the section 0 as will afford the desired inclination for the invalid.The auxiliary base-section, at its junction with the basesection, is inabutting contact with the headboard, and therefore a firm, unyieldingsupport for the invalid is afforded. The upholstering between the sidebars, f, enables the body to cushion itself comfortably, there being nocrossbars except the two mentioned, and one of theseis above theposition occupied by the head of the invalid, and the other bar,

' (1, enables a corresponding variation in the inf, is curved so farrearwardly as to afford no discomfort. When thus adjusted, the brace hoverlies, or it may underlie, the auxiliary section, and is out ofservice.

Referring now to Fig. 4, it will be assumed that aninvalid wishes to bein a slightly-inclined position and well down in the bed i. In this casethe base, and also the auxiliary base-section, lies flatly on themattress, and the brace 71, at its outer end, engages with the rack-bard at the notch nearest its outer end. When thus arranged, the invalid isfirmly supported. His feet may be pressed against a foot-board,itdesired, and various inclinations can obviously be provided for byvarying the position of the brace h on'the rack-bar.

Referring now to Fig. 5, it will be assumed that the wishes of theinvalid, or his condition as to size and weight, render it desirablethat the back-section 0 be located at some point on the bed between thetwo extreme positions of adjustment therein already described. As hereshown, the auxiliary base is inclined, and at its outer or upper end itlies against the head-board of the bedstead, thus obviously enabling thebase-section to be located at various points in the bed, according tothe degree of inclination of the auxiliary base. The brace h, by itsvariedenga-gement with the notches of the now inclined rack-barclination of the back-supporting section.

It is not deemed necessary to specially indicate the variouscircumstances under which these several capacities for adjustment willbe found of value, as it is believed that they will be readilyappreciated by invalids and experienced nurses.

The importance of a commode attachment to a bedrest will be obvious, andI have provided a commode, D, so constructed that it can be readilycoupled to the back-section near the base, as indicated in dotted linesin Fig. 5, by means of the springarms k, having inwardly-bent ends, asshown in Fig. 6, thus forming hooks, so that by springing said armsapart they will embrace the two side bars and engage therewithsuflicient-ly to hold the commode from slipping forward. It is to beunderstood that these hooks are mere coupling devices, and that anyother well-known forms of coupling straps and hooks can be employed solong as the commode is thereby prevented from sliding away from itsproper position and unduly tilting. The pendent front end, 1, of thecommode is nearly the height of an ordinary vessel, so that the latterwill be pressed into the mattress and firmly held thereon by the weightof the invalid, but without liability of being upset or unduly subjectedto pressure.

For enabling-the commode to occupy minimum space when not in use, thependent front Z may be hinged so as to fold backward, and be alsoprovided with a hook or bolt for firmly securing it'in posit-ion forservice without departure from my invention. In some cases I alsoprovide the commode with a pendent rear end, as indicated in dottedlines.

The desirability ofa firm, reliable, and readily-applied table orbook-stand to a bed-rest will beobvious, and I have devised the table E,(shown in Fig. 7,) which embodies a frame composed of a light fiat bar,wt, preferably of 'iron, and a similar bar, m, at right angles thereto,and a light board, n, thinner than the width of said bars, and securedthereto centrally, so that said bars at their two edges serve as lips orledges for the two faces or sides of the table-board. The side bar, m,near its foot, has a lateral hole, m. At one or both edges of theauxiliary base-section, near its hinged joint, there are hooks 0, andsimilarly located on the back-section there are rectangular hooks,serving as brackets p. The table is placed in position for use byengaging one of the hooks 0 by the side bar, m,

at its hole on", andv locating the bar in one of the brackets 19, asclearly indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3. As thus constructed thetable can be applied and used at either side of the bed-rest and eitherside up, andin either case there will be free and unobstructed space atone side of the table, thus obviating the sense of constraint generallyso objectionable base-section, the auxiliary base-section provided witha rack-bar and hinged to the basesection, and the back-section, alsohinged to said base-section, and provided with a hinged brace forengaging with the rackbar on the auxiliary base-section.

2. The combination of the base-section, the auxiliary base sectionhinged thereto and pro vided at its outer end with beveled tips, and

justed at various inclinations and in various locations on a bed, as setforth.

4. The combination, with the three bedrest sections, of the tableprovided with a bar adapted to engage with the edges of the auxiliarybase and the back section, and thus be mounted for service,substantiallyas described.

5. The combination, with the bed-rest, of the commode provided withcoupling-hooks for detachablyconnecting it with the back-section nearits base, and projecting forwardly therefrom and having a pendent frontend, substantially as described.

6. The combination, with abedrest basesection, of the downwardly-curvedtransverse sharp-edged friction-bar, substantially as described, and forthe purposes specified.

CHARLES F. LILLEY.

Witnesses:

E. F. LILLEY, L. O. COLE.

